You've logged months of long mileage and hard training. The least you can do is put in a week of good nutrition.
Put down that artery-clogging pepperoni slice and digest this great nutritional advice from Nancy Clark, sports nutritionist and author of "Food Guide for Marathoners: Tips for Everyday Champions."
"Now that you are tapering your exercise and running less, you might be fearful you will gain weight during this week before the marathon. Keep in mind you should gain weight--it's a sign that your muscles are properly carbo-loaded! That is, for each one ounce of carbohydrates that you store in your muscles, you will store about three ounces of water. Well fueled marathoners can expect to gain 2 to 4 pounds of water pre-marathon. The water will be released during the marathon, and contribute to your fluid needs.
"Despite less exercise, you will probably be just as hungry during the first two or three days of your taper because your (chronically depleted) muscles are finally having the chance to refuel. The carbs you eat, instead of being burned off during your miles of training, will be used to fuel your muscles. This may take two or three days--then your appetite will calm down once your glycogen stores are replenished. Trust me!"
